What is an Artefact?
A religious artefact is something that is used by believers whilst practicing their faith. There can be many types of artefacts for example, an object, food and drink, music, a text, book or picture. Artefacts are a reminder of important events and beliefs within a faith. Some Jewish artefacts are linked to particular festivals and ceremonies whilst others are for everyday and weekly home life.
Use of Artefacts
Artefacts are a brilliant way of bringing a faith to life by giving the direct opportunity to explore and investigate them. This is particularly important when one cannot visit a place of worship or experience a religious visitor. A good way to introduce artefacts is to encourage pupils to think about what objects are special to them and why.
Important Points to Remember When Using Artefacts
Artefacts are items that have specific religious significance and therefore should never be introduced as something ‘strange’ or ‘curious’. They should be demonstrated as objects that are important to people. Artefacts should always be handled with care and respect. It is important to demonstrate the differences between certain artefacts and the ‘real’ objects. For example, replicas of Torah scrolls are printed on paper as are reproductions of Mezzuzah inserts showing the Shema.
The writing in the real Torah and Mezzuzah is handwritten on parchment. It is deemed as holy and therefore must not be touched by human fingers.
How to use Artefacts
(See also Practical Ideas and Activities for Teaching Judaism).
- Make a display. A creative display is a good starting point. It will stimulate interest, encourage questions and provide a focus and reference point.
- Demonstration, questioning and research. Pupils can observe, investigate and then discuss, make, draw or write their findings. This encourages understanding of the artefact’s use and importance.
- Story telling, play, drama and role playing. These activities explore the use and symbolism of artefacts and help stimulate questions.
- ‘Freeze Framing’ and ‘Thought Tapping’. During drama and role play, pupils ‘freeze’ and share their thoughts and feelings whilst others talk about what is happening.
- Some artefacts provoke personal thoughts and responses. They may provide stimulus for creative writing such as poetry. Pupils can also be encouraged to think about what objects are special to them and why.
- Exploring Similarities. By looking at artefacts pupils can see the way symbols play an important part in religions and can be encouraged to recognise similar ones in other faiths.
Special Needs
Artefacts are a very valuable way of approaching religious education for special needs pupils. Work involving investigation of artefacts can help pupils develop communication skills through working together cooperatively.
An eye catching display can have a visual impact and help pupils focus their attention. For pupils who find it difficult to write, looking at, touching and talking about artefacts is very important. A multi sensory approach can be used, for example, placing a selection of artefacts in a ‘feely bag’ to encourage pupils to explore textures with their hands. The use of food, smells or listening to appropriate music can create a spiritual atmosphere which helps pupils experience the faith.
Recommended Artefacts
There are numerous religious artefact suppliers but I’ve included ideas below to make some of them. This is not just good for the budget but can be a brilliant way of engaging in and reinforcing the subject. There are stencil sets and artefact moulds available to add authenticity.
Summary
Artefacts act as a stimulus and focal point of study. They are a good way of arousing interest because they are usually new and fascinating. They can be the basis for a wide range of learning activities; enabling skills such as questioning, investigation and research to be developed. The sensitive handling of artefacts can take one beyond simple knowledge to areas of spirituality and of feeling and response. This in turn, encourages respect, understanding and sensitivity for people of other faiths.